Don't have an account yet?

Click here to register »


I am already registered - Login:




Lot 3249 - Z40 Impressionist & Modern Art - Friday, 24. June 2016, 02.00 PM

ALBERTO GIACOMETTI

(Borgonovo 1901 - 1966 Chur)
Figure. 1933/34.
Bronze with green copper patina.
Monogrammed and numbered on the backside of the foot: AG 20.
H 154.5 cm.

This model is registrated in the database of the Fondation Alberto et Annette Giacometti under the number AGD 3503.

Provenance: Private collection, Switzerland

Giacometti and the French designer Jean-Michel Frank met for the first time in 1929, when they were introduced to each other by the American Dadaist and photographer Man Ray. Frank owned a retail store on the famous Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré; from here he collaborated with the most extravagant artists of the time, who created in particular furniture for his highly exclusive interiors. He quickly recognised the talent of the young Swiss artist and took up some of Giacometti’s works for his range. A fifteen-year collaboration was started, in which Giacometti created around 70 models for interior decoration and fittings. These were met with great enthusiasm amongst Frank’s clientele, which included the fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli and Nelson Rockefeller. Giacometti’s small female heads, which were used in standard lamps and appliques, and which can be seen in the piece presented here, became an especially popular motif. The Swiss artist also designed vases, consoles, reliefs and bowls, amongst other things for Frank. The help of Alberto’s brother Diego was indispensable. An extremely skilled craftsman, he carried out the preliminary work on most of Alberto’s creations.
In the early 1930s, his work was characterised especially by its surrealist qualities. This is also apparent in the fine India ink drawings from the same period, which we are also offering for sale in this auction.


CHF 100 000 / 120 000 | (€ 103 090 / 123 710)

Sold for CHF 192 500 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.